Fish pathologist; Pathologist specialising in aquatic animal health.

Fish pathologists research and/or manage issues related to the maintenance of fish's health and well-being, detecting illnessess, anticipating and analysing the main risks affecting species' ability to reproduce, providing solutions for the diseases affecting them and carrying out all necessary preventive measures, at all times ensuring that they use substances that are not harmful for people or the environment. They work in aquaculture operations, both saltwater (marine) and freshwater (continental), and in traditional fishing boats, in all cases ensuring that products are suitable for human consumption.

• Monitor groups of fish, observing any unusual behaviour or increased mortality in order to anticipate the outbreak of diseases in the farm or in specific populations.
• Select and collect samples in order to analyse and diagnose the physiological state of fish stocks.
• Train farm staff to detect problems early on the basis of external signs.
• Carry out or manage relevant clinical tests (chemical or biological) which must be carried out in order to make a diagnosis or continue a treatment process.
• Define the medicine to be used, the dose and the mode of delivery in order to increase its effectiveness, whether for preventive treatments or existing illnesses.
• Train staff to apply treatments.
• Plan the medication and/or preventive measure schedule in line with the fish's reproductive cycle and the nature of the farm and the climate, in the case of an outdoor farm.
• Propose and implement new treatments and/or improvements to existing ones.
• Manage the services at the on-site laboratory or external laboratories.
• Ensure that the final product complies with all relevant quality standards (carry out waste analyses on final products).
• Monitor the type and levels of medicine used in the farm and ensure that they remain within the limits set out by current environmental regulations.
• Carry out basic research on the illnesses and/or toxic infections that affect aquatic species and search for the cause and possible solutions.
• Issue judgments at the request of individuals or administrative bodies on the pathology of a particular group of fish or the cause of mortality (for instance, in the case of river pollution).

Regulated training and graduates

• Grau: Biologia
• Grau: Biologia ambiental
• Grau: Bioquímica
• Grau: Bioquímica i biologia molecular
• Grau: Biotecnologia
• Grau: Enginyeria de sistemes biològics
• Grau: Ciències ambientals
• Grau: Ciències del mar
• Grau: Enginyeria agrària i alimentària
• Grau: Enginyeria agroambiental i del paisatge
• Grau: Enginyeria agrícola
• Grau: Enginyeria agroalimentària
• Grau: Enginyeria de Ciències Agronòmiques
• Grau: Enginyeria alimentària
• Grau: Veterinària

Complementary training

Other specific skills

Leadership: Level 1

Concern for order and quality: Level 3

Planning and organisation: Level 2

Analytical thought: Level 2

Initiative: Level 3

Orientation within reach: Level 2

Scientific research

Individuals who have an affinity for the field of scientific research focus their interest on activities that study different types of organisms and substances in order to obtain valuable products for human beings. A key part of performing this task is the planning and verification of scientific hypotheses through the use of different research designs and techniques. The objective of these searches is the development of new medicines and medical techniques, technological innovation based on the manipulation of cells, molecules and biological agents, as well as the study of cultures in order to improve the characteristics and properties of plants and food.

Environment

People who work in this field focus their professional interests on the preservation, improvement or restoration of the environment (vegetation, fauna, flora) in both built-up areas and natural spaces. Some of the activities that represent this field are the detection, analysis and control of pollutants, the carrying out of measurements and tests in relation to climatic or environmental variables and the reduction of the harmful effects of human activity on the environment. The carrying out of these activities requires knowledge of the environment, for its planning and use, and of environmental regulations.

Healthcare

Working to maintain and improve health, as well as physical and mental well-being, is the primary interest of people who are involved in the field of healthcare. Some of the activities in this field include making diagnoses, prescribing treatments and monitoring illnesses and injuries. These activities also include the application of therapeutic treatments (traditional or alternative) with a view to facilitating the physical recovery of those being treated. To carry out these activities, one must have in-depth knowledge of the human body and medicine, in its various specialisations.

Responsible for aquaculture operations

Expert in food safety and quality

Expert researcher in new foods

Integral pest control system technician

Seed salesperson

• Work hours

  Works as an employee, either full-time or with a schedule adapted to the demand and according to the seasonality of the sector or operation. Self-employed worker offers technical support.

• Salary

  Junior: between 13.789 and 18.995 euros annum gross. Median: 16.185 euros annum gross.
  Senior: between 24.940 and 34.680 euros annum gross. Median: 29.409 euros annum gross.
  
  Source: Report "Observatory of Jobs and Salaries of the Labour Market. Barcelona Activa", elaborated by ICSA Grupo. April 2015.
  

• Other features

  The aquaculture sector is relatively new. However, some current products were already traditionally farmed (for example, mussels and trout) in order to provide extra income to fishing families during times of unemployment or low fishing seasons. Today some of these operations have become a main source of income and must adapt in order to be competitive. In other cases, it is a new product and behind it lies a significant effort in research and development (for example, octopus, sea bass, etc.) at the facilities and the responsibility regarding the product's final quality, which is necessary in order to obtain good financial results. At the same time, as with any activity in which the product is a food, those involved must follow current regulations and legislation that ensure its healthiness. Therefore, it is essential to stay up to date on the new developments in treatments and medications, since with the globalisation of the markets, health regulations (which are often different) must be fulfilled in order to be able to sell the end product to one country or another. It is not a dangerous activity in and of itself, but when working in the open sea or underwater, measures should be maximised.

• Professional category

  Technician

• Human resources and equipment

  A covered space is needed for management, as well as a means of land transport, or water transport in the case of aquaculture operations. The working day can be spent outside to manage and control the operation or in an enclosed space (laboratory). If they own a laboratory, a physical premises is necessary, as well as technical and human resources in order to carry out the activity according to the volume and specificity of the analyses.

• Initial investments

  A management system (software and hardware), vehicle and means of communication (telephone) will be necessary. If one works in their own laboratory, the investment will consist of the rental or purchase of the premises, the purchase of technical means (analysis machinery, laboratory equipment, reagents, etc.) and the hiring of labour, if necessary.